EDUCATION

Education for an Addiction-Free Tomorrow

Although vaping products have been shown to provide a number of benefits to adult ex-smokers compared to smoking traditional tobacco, these products are not a risk-free. Most e-cigarettes, or e-vapor products, contain nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical and while it should be avoided by everyone, the reality is that many adult smokers have developed such a dependency on nicotine from long-term use, that quitting altogether can be very challenging.

A Message to Youth:

We encourage you to consider that any sense of addiction you have to nicotine now is far easier to stop than it will be after a lifetime of nicotine dependency. Each and every time you use nicotine, your body becomes more dependent. Your willpower to quit using nicotine-containing products diminishes significantly the longer you use them. This leads us to a question for serious consideration.

If e-cigarettes become unavailable in the next 5 years, are you confident that you will have the willpower to stop using nicotine entirely?

Unfortunately, CDC studies show that the answer is most likely no. According to the CDC, over 480,000 people die each year as a result of smoking. This doesn’t tell the whole story though -- death is just the end-game for smoking tobacco. What leads up to death is the most frightening.

According to the CDC, “smoking causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis”. Have you ever had a loaded bookshelf sitting on your chest? Imagine that feeling with every breath, for (possibly) an extended period of time, leading up to the day when you finally give up -- which is, on average -- 10 years earlier than a non-smoker. According to the CDC, "smoking also increases risk for tuberculosis, certain eye diseases, and problems of the immune system, including rheumatoid arthritis." Last but not least in our non-comprehensive statistics, is that according to the CDC, “smoking is a known cause of erectile dysfunction in males.” Is a dependency to nicotine really worth it? While these studies don’t necessarily factor in alternative nicotine delivery methods, just the findings we’ve shared from the CDC are alarming nonetheless.

We urge youth users currently using or thinking about using nicotine products to quit. If you can’t quit on your own, please talk to your parents, talk to a counselor, find some way to get away from nicotine before it’s too late. Your life is far more important than an addiction to nicotine. Don’t become another statistic.

Nicotine and Battery Dangers:

Nicotine is an addictive substance

Nicotine is transdermal, which means it can absorb into the body through the skin. Spilling an e-liquid on your skin can be dangerous and requires immediate washing of the area.

Batteries are very volatile; misuse, improper storage, and charging can be very dangerous. The results can lead to severe bodily harm.

E-cigarettes and vaping products are intended for adults who currently use tobacco. They require serious attention to detail and constant diligence in regards to safety. The safety guidelines of these, as well as the long-term addiction to nicotine potential, are not to be taken lightly. All those under 18 should never use these products or any tobacco product.